Women’s 1st Team Vs Guiseley Vixens Dev (PSF)

A trip to sunny Yorkshire is what the players were promised and the weather didn't disappoint. With 8 regulars away or working, Andy Ingle once again shuffled the pack as we headed to Liversedge FC to play Guiseley Vixens development. 

The team seems to get younger each week, a point made on the journey as the old school tunes on my radio turned out to be out in the charts years before the players in my car were born! Having trained well in the week with the seniors, Under 18's player Yasmin Westerman was also added to the squad to add to her development.

Guiseley also looked a young side but certainly looked well drilled in the warm up. The game started well with both sides looking to keep the ball and move it across the wide pitch quickly. 

Arnold almost took the lead in the 11th minute when Chrystal Smileys  shot came back of the post before the keeper turned the follow up around the post for a corner. It was an early warning for the hosts but soon saw the visitors take the lead when excellent work from Mollie Rowden and Alyssia Griffiths-Grey on the right touchline, saw Mollie played through on goal, and she picked her spot perfectly across the keeper and into the far corner.

It should have been 2 when Chrystal Smileys first shot was saved only to see her follow up pass the wrong side of the post.

The Defence held well and midfield were linking with the forwards to a high standard, but whilst comfortable leading into the half time break, a lack of communication saw the ball given away on the edge of the box and the Vixens striker free to smash the ball into the net to bring the scores level. 

The second half seemed to show a swing in energy, as Arnold found themselves defending deeper. A couple of goal line clearances and saves from Kereng Mrwata kept the ball clear before a corner from the right swung over everyone and may have gone directly in to make it 2-1 in the 63rd minute.

The lead was added to in the 75th minute as a through ball split the defence and an easy finish made it 3-1. To their credit the Arnold players continued to try and counter and once again hit the post as well as produce an unbelievable save from the home keeper.

Not to be outdone the Vixens also kept the woodwork busy, even getting a double hit from one effort. They finished the scoring late on. A shot from the right was brilliantly saved, but unfortunately for Arnold Towns keeper, the home side reacted quickest and slotted home. 4-1 was probably a little bit harsh with the chances not taken, however it was an excellent game, with the referee hardly having to stop the game. Thank you to Liversedge for hosting the game and to Guiseley Vixens for inviting us. Best of luck for the upcoming season.